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Port Harcourt – In a surprising move, suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, made his first public appearance on Sunday since a dramatic state of emergency was declared. He attended a church service at Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt, appearing calm and even smiling as he joined the congregation alongside his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie.
Swift Action Under New Leadership
The church visit marked Fubara’s first public outing since President Bola Tinubu’s shock decision on Tuesday to impose a state of emergency in Rivers State. Tinubu cited growing political tensions and security concerns as the reason for the drastic measure.
The declaration immediately suspended Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the state House of Assembly. President Tinubu swiftly appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator, granting him power over the state’s affairs for an initial six-month period.
The move has ignited a firestorm of controversy. Former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, a prominent figure in the state’s politics, blasted President Tinubu’s decision, calling it a blatant overreach of power.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Sole Administrator, Ibas, isn’t wasting any time. He’s already held emergency security meetings with law enforcement agencies, traditional rulers, and heads of local government administration. Ibas has also taken immediate action to address financial issues, ordering the release of withheld allocations and ensuring the payment of local government workers. He personally inspected the ongoing reconstruction of the State House of Assembly Complex, promising to ensure its swift completion – a key step towards restoring stable governance.
